Leadfeet, beware: SuperSpeeder law begins Jan. 1

Tue, 12/22/2009 - 11:26amBen Nelms

Cases of lead-foot on Georgia highways will come with additional costs beginning Jan. 1. The state’s “SuperSpeeder” law will bring additional fines for high-speed travel on two-lane and multiple-lane roads.

The new SuperSpeeder law discourages trauma-causing behavior by increasing fines for dangerous drivers, according to Jim Shuler of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

The legislation adds an additional $200 fine for driving over 85 miles per hour on a road with multiple lanes and for driving 75 miles per hour or more on a two-lane road, Shuler said.

Super Speeders will also increase driver’s license reinstatement fees for drivers committing a second and third offense for violations that result in a suspended license and for other negligent behaviors.

Fees collected under the new SuperSpeeder law will be used to help fund Georgia’s trauma-care hospital system where approximately 60 percent of all trauma-care patients are crash-related.

Now for the first time, “Super Speeders” will help pay for the hospital beds where crash-victims are being treated, said Shuler. The SuperSpeeder legislation is expected generate approximately $23 million in Fiscal Year 2010.

“Super Speeder” legislation, passed earlier this year by the General Assembly in the form of House Bill 160, was designed to help reduce traumatic automobile accidents and provide funds for trauma care in the state. The legislation passed the House 113-53 and passed the Senate 42-10.